Attachment theory and research are fields of endeavour with
many and varied accomplishments. However, the study of
attachment, and its theoretical underpinnings, is not without
controversy, and there have been critics. Some argue that from its
original, focused definition as a behavioural system designed to
protect the young child from danger, the term attachment is now
used as a catch-all for every aspect of child–caregiver relationships
and for development beyond the social and emotional domains.
There has been ongoing controversy about the Strange Situation
procedure as a measure of attachment security, and criticism of the
apparent deterministic view of development implied by the
importance accorded early relationships in the formation of inner
working models of self and others. There remain those who construe
attachment theory as 'mother-blaming'. This is so despite the fact
that from its inception, and as discussed in earlier chapters, the
theory rejected any notion of blame, focused on understanding and
reconciliation (see Bowlby 1988, p. 146), and clearly embraced all
caregivers whose role was to protect the child from danger—
including mothers, fathers, grandparents, professional caregivers and

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